HITACHI Ltd is pulling out of the household computer business in the latest shift among Japanese electronics makers to refocus their sprawling operations. Hitachi has stopped making PCs for individual consumers since this year's summer models, although the Tokyo-based manufacturer will keep making some kinds of computers for corporate clients, company spokesman Keisaku Shibatani said yesterday. Hitachi's decision underlines increasing competition among global electronics makers, and the need for Japanese firms to give up some sectors to keep up with rivals. Hitachi - whose businesses span nuclear power reactors, flat-panel TVs, washing machines and electronic devices such as hard disk drives - has been losing money, and is struggling to turn itself around. Hitachi's home PCs were sold only in Japan. Personal computers account for less than one percent of annual sales. Hitachi outsources out...

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